Freshmen are set to step up for Florida State, will complement 15 returning starters

FSU head football coach Jimbo Fisher sits with his players as they prepare to take the team photo in the stands at Doak Campbell Stadium during FSU Football Media Day Sunday, August 10, 2014 in Tallahassee.

TALLAHASSEE | Florida State will lean on several true freshmen this season, but with 15 starters back from last year’s defending national championship team, the youngsters will primarily serve as complementary pieces. The Seminoles, according to ESPN, have used an average of about 10 true freshmen per season over the past three years, so this is nothing new.

Nine true freshmen are on the Seminoles’ depth chart, but even more could see the field on Saturday.

Here’s a look at some of the freshmen who will play this Saturday — or later in the season — for the Seminoles.

■ WR Travis Rudolph, 6-2/184, Ft. Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons: Although he missed a majority of preseason camp with soreness in his foot (had surgery on foot this offseason), Rudolph has not missed a beat, according to coach Jimbo Fisher. The freshman can play a variety of receiver positions because of his size/speed combo.

■ RB Dalvin Cook, 6-0/200, Miami Central: Arguably the top get of FSU’s recruiting class, Cook has been referred to as “special” by senior teammates. He will likely start the year as FSU’s No. 3 option at running back, but he could become a big factor in the offense as the season progresses.

■ WR Ermon Lane, 6-3/206, Homestead: Another wideout who should be called on early in his career as FSU looks to deal with the losses of starters Kelvin Benjamin and Kenny Shaw. Lane’s skill set is not as refined as Rudolph’s, but Lane is arguably the most physically gifted receiver on FSU’s roster.

■ DE Jacob Pugh, 6-4, 236, Tallahassee Godby: Pugh was brought in as a linebacker recruit but has the frame to fill out and play the hybrid DE/LB role.

With Matthew Thomas and Ukeme Eligwe out early on with injuries, Pugh could be called on as a situational pass-rush specialist.

■ S Trey Marshall, 6-0/200, Lake City Columbia: A versatile athlete in high school, Marshall enrolled at FSU this spring and has learned several positions in the secondary. He will likely be used in dime packages.

■ LS Stephen Gabbard, 6-3/230, Tallahassee Godby: The FSU legacy is locked in as the Seminoles’ starting long snapper.

■ FB Johnathan Vickers, 6-1/213, Tallahassee North Florida Christian: Vickers was somewhat of an afterthought in this signing class, but his versatility has placed him as the No. 2 fullback.

■ LT Roderick Johnson, 6-7/330, Florissant (Mo.) Hazelwood Central: Johnson is the most physically gifted of the five true freshmen FSU brought in to bolster offensive line depth. Playing time is scarce behind Cam Erving, but Johnson has performed well enough to earn some reps with the starters.

■ DE Lorenzo Featherston, 6-7/220, Greensboro (N.C.) Page: Although he still has a ton of bulking up to do, Fisher has consistently brought up Featherston. He could contribute to special teams immediately with his wing span and quickness.